Impatiens capensis

17 years ago

So for a couple of years I have wondered what this plant is that is growing wild in the far back corners of my property. It really seemed to spread last year and now by sheer coincidence someone posted a link to this plant on the plant trade discussion. Rather than take that thread off on a tangent I thought I would post here and see what experience anyone has with this plant. It hink it is pretty and seems to like the low wet corners of the yard, but am I going to be sorry if I let it grow, will it take over my whole yard? Also does anyone know why they call it "touch me not plant?"

Here is a link that might be useful: Impatiens capensis

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vnginger
17 years ago
Kathy,
I posted the thread & thought if one of the Native Plants Society sold it to me for $3 or $4 a plant, it must be 'safe' to have and to share with others at the trade. My frst yr with the plant, it only produced a few plants for the yr after (I also did collect the seeds that yr.) Last year I didn't collect the seeds & they are every way under the mother plants this yr. So yes, they are intrusive if you don't like them & let them go to seeds. But then my cleomes, four o'clocks, morning glories and balsam impatience produce many seedlings too. So it would be interesting to hear others' thoughts on this matter...

They call it 'touch me not' because the stems break easily. Just by a touch or if you brush by them, they can break off easily. Appearantly you can use the plant to treat poison ivy... that's what i read anyway...
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Impatiens capensis

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vnginger

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